By John Montesano
Monday, in some way, we all celebrated Veterans Day. It was formerly known as Armistice Day, which was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially ceased November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day. As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.
In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the U.S. 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Memorial Day honors service members who died in service to their country, or as a result of injuries incurred during battle. Deceased veterans are remembered on Veterans Day, but the day is set aside to thank and honor living veterans who served honorably in the military, in wartime or peacetime.
Gulf War-era veterans account for the largest share of all U.S. veterans, having surpassed Vietnam-era veterans in 2016, according to Veterans Affairs’ 2016 population model estimates.
Throughout the years some of the veterans received heroes’ welcomes when returning home from their service. Unfortunately, many of our veterans had been forgotten and scorned, a fact that many veterans strongly resent and always will.
It is good that our country is showing its appreciation of our veterans and their contributions. “Thank you for your service”, is freely expressed. It may not remove the anger or resentment that a veteran might have, but it’s a start.
It has been my honor and privilege to have been given the opportunity to tell so many veterans’ stories. Aside from their dedication to serve their country, I have been struck by what they did when returning home. In the majority of cases, the commitment to serve was carried forward into their civilian lives. They continued serving the community to make this country a better place in which to live.
Recently I attended a Veterans Hiring Initiative conducted by Scientel Solutions at which speakers from the Illinois Hires Heroes Consortium, Veterans Assistance Commission of Kane County, Illinois Department of Employment Security, and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves/Chamber of Commerce were present. They spoke of the values that a veteran brings to an interview for a job: Service before self; honor, integrity, commitment, spirit, passion, teamwork, persistence and adaptability. It was a reinforcement of what so many veterans bring to the community to which they return; and why they make significant contributions to that community. It is a natural progression.
When I say: “Thank you for your service”, I am thinking: “Welcome home and thank you for your service, still.”